Bay Tree Design's EcoSchool Design®
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Creative Play EnvironmentsThe play structures in most schoolyards and playgrounds around the world look very similar. Fear of liability and the mass production of play equipment have turned most of the public places children play into environments filled with standardized metal, plastic, and rubber parts. Although generally useful and enjoyable, these types of play areas seem to lack the "personality" and creativity that comes with site-specific design, and rarely reflect their neighborhood surroundings. Some schools and parks around the world are building play environments that do not depend on mass produced parts. Such playgrounds are often whimsical and inspiring in many ways. They frequently reflect the history or culture of their surrounding communities, and fit into their natural environments to a greater degree than standardized play systems. The list below includes resources and case studies from around the world that focus on customized, creative approaches to designing play environments. Please contact the webmaster if you know of additional resources or case studies that should be added to this page. Thanks! sharon@ecoschools.com Resources for Creative Play Environments
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School/Playground Name | Project Description | Location |
Millennium Domes | Seven examples of "Millennium Dome" living willow projects at primary schools in England, led by Rob Tily and Nick Williams of Living Willow | England |
Gorsemoor County Primary School | Living
willow maze planted in the shape of a "Stafford Knot." |
Staffordshire, England |
Sidlesham Primary School | Living
willow teepee and tunnels built in sculptural shapes. |
West Sussex, England |
Abenteuerspielplatz Waslala | Adventure playground in Berlin, Germany (website in German with photographs) | Berlin, Germany |
Rabauki Abenteuerspielplatz | Adventure playground in Siegen, Germany (website in German with photographs) | Siegen, Germany |
TreeTops 2000, Ithaca High School | Treetops 2000 Project: a three-level wildlife observation tower built by high school students at Cayuga Nature Center under the direction of Leathers and Associates. | Ithaca, New York, United States |